What You Must Watch, Read, and Listen to Before Becoming a Grown-Up

What You Must Watch, Read, and Listen to Before Becoming a Grown-Up

Inspired by cover starEmma Watson’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower—in theaters September 20—we realized there are many coming-of-age books, movies, TV shows, and songs that need to be experienced before you grow up. Hey, we can’t all be Peter Pan, right?

Must-Read: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Few characters teach us as much about the adolescent experience (i.e., confusion, angst, etc.) as cynical, “phonie”-hating, 16-year-old Holden Caulfield. He is as relevant today as he was in 1951, when the book was published.

Must-Read: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Judy Blume manages to capture those oh-so-important preteen girl moments—buying your first bra, having your first period, and liking boys—with heart and humor.

Must-Read: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Shy high school freshman Charlie’s awkward, sometimes cringeworthy but ultimately endearing account of adolescence is so powerful that it was made into a movie that is being released this month.

Must-Watch: Freaks and Geeks

This Judd Apatow comedy-drama garnered a cult following by highlighting the teens who are often most overlooked—the slacker “freaks” and nerdy “geeks.” Don’t forget to watch for the outstanding before-they-were-famous cast members, including James Franco, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, and Busy Philipps.

Photo: NBC Universal, Inc.

Must-Watch: The Wonder Years

Maybe you’re thinking you can’t relate to a show set in the turbulent 1960s. Fear not: The rites of passage that Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) faces—first kisses, annoying older brothers, navigating high school—are relatable in any decade.

Photo: Everett Collection

Must-Watch: My So-Called Life

The magic of this short-lived series is the smart, emotional commentary from Angela Chase (Claire Danes). Well, that and Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto).

Photo: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

Must-Watch: To Kill a Mockingbird

Yes, technically this fits into the novel category as well, but Gregory Peck’s portrayal of moral hero Atticus Finch is almost as moving as author Harper Lee’s text.

Photo: Everett Collection

Must-Watch: Almost Famous

Our own Obsessed blogger Lauren Brownsaid it best: “The movie inspires you to follow your passions, no matter how old you are.”

Photo: Everett Collection

Must-Watch: My Girl

Whose heart didn’t break while watching this story of an 11-year-old tomboy growing up without a mother?

Photo: Everett Collection

Must-Listen: “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp

This little ditty about Jack and Diane, two American kids growin’ up in the heartland, teaches a very wise lesson: Hold on to 16 as long as you can.

Photo: Getty Images

Must-Listen: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

While other books, songs, and movies on this list wax nostalgic about being a teenager in a small hometown, Tracy Chapman reminds you that where we’re from doesn’t define us.

Photo: Getty Images

Must-Listen: “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen

At first, it seems like Bruce Springsteen is telling you not to let those “glory days” pass you by, but there’s another lesson if you listen closely—sometimes you have to let go and grow up.